My Absolute Favorite Reads of 2018

Hello friends & happy Saturday! It’s somehow already the end of December, so that means it’s time to share my very favorite books I read in 2018! YAY.

Putting this together felt nearly impossible because I read way too many excellent books this year and didn’t want to leave any at out. For this post, I ended up doing my top 5 favorite series, and then my top 5 favorite standalones. They’ll be ranked in order from least to most favorite. 🙂

This series that brings me endless joy and I still cannot get over how ridiculously good it is. Gentleman’s Guide is one of those books that I’ll probably reread a million times because it’s so comforting. And Lady’s Guide is a feminist anthem that inspires me in so many ways (it truly made me want to destroy the patriarchy). I love these books, and Monty, Percy and Felicity, with my all my heart.

“Everyone has heard stories of women like us—cautionary tales, morality plays, warnings of what will befall you if you are a girl too wild for the world, a girl who asks too many questions or wants too much. If you set off into the world alone. Everyone has heard stories of women like us, and now we will make more of them.”

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It took me several years to get around to this duology, but I am so beyond thankful that I finally picked it up because WHAT a masterpiece this is. Found families and group dynamics are what I live for, and that was basically all these books were made up of. The Dregs and their ridiculous banter sold me on this series so quickly. Like, the “my ghost won’t associate with your ghost” interaction had me laughing for about 10 minutes straight I swear. Love love love this series.

“Kaz leaned back. “What’s the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet?”
“Knife to the throat?” asked Inej.
“Gun to the back?” said Jesper.
“Poison in his cup?” suggested Nina.
“You’re all horrible,” said Matthias.”

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How can I ever explain how much I adore this trilogy without just screaming eternally?? These books are way too good. Schwab created such a clever world full of magic, and it truly made me fall in love with fantasy all over again a few months ago. I already want to revisit this one because I just… I really miss Red London. And Kell and Lila and Rhy and Alucard.

Also, all my thanks to Iris for constantly hyping up Schwab (and especially this series) because it was what inspired me to read these. THANK YOUUU!

“There’s Dull London, Kell London, Creepy London, and Dead London,” she recited, ticking them off on her fingers. “See? I’m a fast learner.”

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I honestly wish I could capture the feeling I had while reading this duology and live in it forever. There’s nothing quite like these books; they’re pure magic, and indescribably beautiful in a way that blew my mind a million times over. And Lazlo Strange is probably my favorite character I was introduced to this year. He is really the most wholesome soul. All the love in the world goes to this duology!!

“You’re a storyteller. Dream up something wild and improbable,” she pleaded. “Something beautiful and full of monsters.”

“Beautiful and full of monsters?”

“All the best stories are.”

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Despite Queen of Air and Darkness not being my absolute favorite conclusion, this is a Shadowhunters series and, well, it’s going to take the top spot because I love it more than words can describe. There’s nothing that compares to how much I enjoyed reading these. The Blackthorn family is such a gift to this world, and Emma Carstairs is an icon. Plus, Lord of Shadows is genuinely one of the best books I’ve ever read in my LIFE. I adore this series with my entire heart and soul.

“Fiction is truth, even if it is not a fact. If you believe only in facts and forget stories, your brain will live, but your heart will die.”

I wasn’t originally planning on putting this in my top 5 standalones, but this book has been on my mind for months after reading it and I can’t seem to let go of it. This was by far the most eye opening book I picked up this year and I was constantly floored by how powerful it was while reading it. I know this book has made a huge impact on many lives, including my own. It’s brilliant.

“I’m tired of being patient with bigots. I’m tired of trying to explain why I don’t deserve to be treated like a piece of shit all the time. I’m tired of begging everyone to understand that people of color aren’t all the same, that we don’t all believe the same things or feel the same things or experience the world the same way.”

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After having a particularly rough time with my own mental health this year, I started reading books that I thought might be able to relate to. This one popped up a countless number of times in my search and I’m so, so, so grateful that I picked it up. I expected this story would be moving, but I didn’t expect just how much of a positive influence it would make on my life. This is one of those books I’ll never forget for how much it helped me when I needed it.

“A working brain is probably a lot like a map, where anybody can get from one place to another on the freeways. It’s the nonworking brains that get blocked, that have dead ends, that are under construction like mine.”

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This book took heartbreaking to a whole new level (I’m honestly still in pain), but it was also one of the most beautifully crafted stories I’ve ever come across. I’m convinced Madeline Miller is a goddess herself because of how exquisite her writing is. Patroclus and Achilles own my heart, and reading this was honestly one of the best experiences of the year.

And I also appreciate this book so very much because it was the reason Dezzy and I became friends, and I could not be more thankful for that. :’)

“We were like gods at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.”

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I was never expecting to love this book as much as I did, but oh my goodness this was some kind of genius piece of literature. Alice Oseman wrote the most relatable story about being true to yourself and pursuing your passions and it was so touching. This is one of those books I want everyone to read because of how inspiring it is. It’s also so beautifully diverse, which made my heart happy. And Frances and Aled have the best kind of friendship. So much love.

“I’m sure you think I was complaining about nothing. You probably think I’m a whiny teenager. And yeah, it was all in my head, probably. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t real”

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Sometimes, I think you read a book at the exact moment in which you need it the most. This is exactly what happened with History is All You Left Me. I’ve owned an ARC of this for years, but it wasn’t until March of this year that I picked it up. I was at the lowest of my lows with my mental health then, and reading this genuinely changed the course of my life. It was one of the biggest reasons I felt inspired to finally seek out therapy.

But besides all the personal stuff, I also love this book for how uniquely written it is. Adam Silvera captures emotion and created characters so well. I’m going to try to write a proper review of this someday, but I’ll just say for now that this book means the absolute world to me.

And the winners are…

…Lord of Shadows and History is All You Left Me! I couldn’t bring myself to decide on one favorite, so I picked a favorite contemporary and favorite fantasy. These two definitely take the top spots for my favorite reads of 2018. ❤️❤️❤️

I’d love to know

What were your favorite books of the year? Did you read any I mentioned in this post?!

Ooh I hope you give Shades of Magic a try soon – it’s such a good one❤️ you’ll definitely have to let me know what you think of it! And ahh same, I hope to do a reread of It’s Kind of a Funny Story sometime in 2019. Love that one 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment & I hope you have a happy new year! 🎉

The Shades of Magic series has become one of my favourites of all time. I’m finishing off “A Conjuring of Light” and I don’t wanna say goodbye! Six of Crows is incredible and Strange the Dreamer is actually on my 2019 TBR. Great picks!

YAY I’m so glad to know another fellow bookworm who loves Shades of Magic as much as I do !! I know exactly what you mean – it was so hard to let go of that series when I finished it😭 Agreed that SOC is incredible! And ooooh I hope you end up loving Strange when you get around to it next year.
happy reading and happy new year!! 🎉

Ahh you read so many amazing books this year! I’m really jealous, you got to so many books I wanted to but procrastination struck. I cant wait to get to Ladys Guide, Crooked Kingdoms and the rest of Shades of Magic. I’m excited for QooaD too but also terrified! Happy new year.

Oh I have been there with the procrastination ahhh! I hope you end up getting around to all these books you’re looking forward to next year though. They’re all incredible and I bet you’re going to love them💞 And awh thank you so much – happy new year to you as well! 🎉

Hehe no worries! I hope you end up loving AVLEOS – it’s such a powerful story and I honestly could not recommend it enough.
Thank you so much Beatrice, happy new year to as well and I’m wishing you all the best for 2019! 🎉

AHHH I love this post so much, Brianna!! I’m glad you had such an incredible reading year, and I hope 2019 will be just as great for you 😍 And you already know how happy I am for TSOA bringing us together 💓

I loveee The Gentleman’s Guide and Radio Silence, and I love that you did too ☺️ And omg, I really need to read Six of Crows and Strange the Dreamer in 2019!! And also start the Shades of Magic series. Hopefully, I can get back into reading fantasy and series in 2019 (pls help me with that, haha).

Again, I’m so glad that History Is All You Left Me encouraged you to seek out therapy; I’m so proud of you for doing so 💖 Wonderful post as always!! Happy holidays 🙂

THANK YOU SM DEZZY💕💕💕I hope 2019 is a great reading year for you as well and YESSS thank goodness for TSOA lol

Gentleman’s Guide and Radio Silence are too good honestly ahhh love those. And I’ll for sure help you get back in to fantasy/series, as long as you help me get back in to contemporary/standalones😭😂 we will have to try our best next year hahaha

AWH thank youuu! I’m so glad I finally went to therapy, and your supportive words honestly mean the world to me💞 I hope 2019 is the best year for you Dezzy and happy holidays to you as well !!! 🎉

AHH YES TSOA IS SO GOOD. we need to discuss it. And same here, I definitely loved LOS the most! I mean that might just be because they spend so much time at the London Institute (lol the TID feels) but STILL it’s the best one💕💕

I agree, Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares were so good! Such beautiful books. And I do need to remind myself to read SoC! I sometimes feel like the number of books I have on my TBR is inversely proportional to my free time.

Strange and Muse are so incredible, right?? love those so much. Oh my goodness YES you need to read SOC! I think you’ll love it💞 and oh I know exactly what you mean – I don’t think I’m ever going to get through my TBR based on the rate I’ve been adding books lol
Thanks for your comment & I hope you have a happy new year Miri! 🎉

I actually haven’t read any of these books (*cries*) but I really want to read a lot of them! Six of Crows has been on my TBR for approximately forever, and so has ADSOM and the Montague Siblings series. I shall read them one day, I promise. XD

I’ve heard SO MUCH about Radio Silence- I think it’s been on almost every “best books of 2018” post I’ve read today and that definitely means something. Surprisingly it wasn’t on my TBR yet, but don’t worry now it is. Also, History is All You Left Me is a book I really want to read, too! I love Adam Silvera, despite the fact that he continuously breaks my heart.

Olivia!! Awh thank you so very much for this sweet comment💞 I hope you end up loving all of these books you plan to read (I highly, HIGHLY recommend them all hehe)! Thank you for always being so kind and I’m wishing you the best in the new year!!! 🎉

Ooooo I lot of these are such good choices – Radio Silence and It’s Kind of a Funny Story are my favourites on here! Have you read any other of Alice Oseman’s books? Heartstopper is such a great graphic novel and I Was Born for This is just as loveable as Radio Silence x

Ahh that makes me happy to hear that you also enjoyed IKOAFS and Radio Silence! I just love those💕 and oh yes! I’ve also read Alice Oseman’s Solitaire (which I didn’t love as much) and Heartstopper (which I absolutely adore!). I plan to read IWBFT sometime this year and I cannot wait to pick it up😊
Thank you for your comment, and happy new year!! 🎉

I just want to say thanks so much for your support in 2018 and that I hope you had a good holiday. Even though I haven't known you long, you've since become one of my dearest friends in the community.

I feel like I should hang my head in shame because I never did get around to reading Shades of Magic this year… Actually, I didn't manage to read most of the books I planed too. 2018 was a odd year for me. I hit a lot of slumps, I lost my pet and so I was mainly re-reading old favorites and finally finishing old series. This year I am making Shades of Magic, The Gentlemen's Guide, Strange the Dreamer and Falling Kingdoms my top priory. I'm also hoping to finally finish The Mortal Instruments so I can read Lady Midnight. I am so behind haha! 😉

Lexie, you are the sweetest friend! I am so grateful that I met you through blogging in 2018. Thank you for always being so supportive and kind💞

Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear that you hit lots of slumps this year and that you lost your pet. Losing a pet is definitely not an easy thing to go through. I’m sending you a hug❤️ But that’s still fun that you reread old favorites and caught up on series! I spent a lot of time doing that this year as well. I hope you LOVE all those new reads you plan to get to in 2019 though😊

Happy New Year, Lexie! I hope your 2019 is a little brighter than your 2018 and that you get to read lots of good books💕💕💕

Okay, so, I have a confession….I HAVE NEVER READ A CASSANDRA CLARE BOOK. MUCH GASP. MANY SHOCK. Haha, yeah. I keep thinking, “Maybe this will be the year I start,” but then she releases another book and I get overwhelmed with it all. How do they even all connect???? I think somebody tried to explain it to me once, but I’ve already forgotten. SEND HELP.

Anyways, this was such a great post! Thanks for sharing all of your favorite books with us 🙂 I totally need to read some of these, particularly A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi.

KAAAAT YOU SHOULD READ CASSIE CLARE! but honestly I get you. If I hadn’t been reading her books for years, I’d *for sure* be too intimated to pick them up. There are… SO MANY. And they all connect in this very intricate way that makes sense but it’s just A LOT to grasp. lol but really if you ever do want to read them, just lemme know and I can help you out 🙂

Awh thank youuuu! I’m so glad you liked the post💕 and ooh AVLEOS is amazing, I hope you love it!

I WANT TO…..but also, it seems like it will become such a project to read them all and MY TBR IS ALREADY BURSTING AT THE SEAMSSSS. I don’t know if it can take too many more books (Or so I say, until I add 20 more later today). Sigh. Decisions, decisions.

I’ve heard such great things about most of these books. The only ones I’ve read are the shadowhunter omes (except QOAAD) and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. That book helped me deal with everything going on in my head as well! Around that time I also read a lot of books that focus on mental illness. Really helps you feel understood, doesn’t it? If you ever want to talk message me! Here’s to many more wonderful books!! 😀

Oh I’m so glad to hear It’s Kind of a Funny Story helped you with your own mental health as well! It’s such a powerful book❤️ and oh my goodness, thank you so much for that offer. You’re so kind! And same goes for you – if you ever need someone to talk to just let me know 🙂 hope you’re having a wonderful 2019 so far!

Ooh I hope you LOVE Shades of Magic and Strange the Dreamer whenever you get around to finishing them – ahh they’re absolutely amazing! 💞 And ughhh I know right?? TSOA is too heartbreaking😭 but I love it!

Ahhhhh I’m commenting soooo late, but I’m so glad you read so many amazing books this year!! Almost all of these are also books I read and adored this year… So many good ones!!! And agreed, Lazlo is the MOST PRECIOUS. I LOVE HIM.

Also I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that my hold on History Is All You Left Me came in, so I should be reading that soon!! (And also I have a Very Large Expanse of Sea out, and I’m super excited for that one too!)

Aw really worries about commenting late, I just appreciate the comment! 💞 I’m so glad I read all these amazing books this year too ahh! thank you for hyping up Shades of Magic and SoC (with Mira hehe) until I read them! love those so so so much😭 AND YES LAZLO IS THE SWEETEST SOUL!

Omg omg I’m VERY happy to hear your hold for HIAYLM came in! I can’t wait to discuss it with youuuu! And oooh YAY, AVLEOS is so incredible and powerful and I hope you love it💖

Ahh what a fantastic list, so many great reads here! I loved Six of Crows so much (that quote you put, FAVORITE, I just love it so much haha), as well as the ADSOM series. I’m also so happy to see an Alice Oseman book on here, I love everything she writes so, so much and I really loved Radio Silence ❤ I hope you'll love her other books 😀

Awh thank youuu, I’m really happy I got to read some amazing books this year😍 Hehe YES that quote from SoC makes me laugh every time – the Dregs are honestly the best! ahhh I’m so glad you love ADSOM as well. And Alice Oseman – she’s a real gem💞 I can’t wait to read more from her this year! thanks for your comment Marie🤗